Tooth cleaning device and composition



1934- s. H. BUTTERFIELD 1,969,874

TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE AND COMPOSITION Filed Jan. 13, 1933 INVENTOR Patented Au 14, 1934 UNITED STA TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE AND COMPOSITION Sidney n. Butterfield, Jackson, Mich, assignor to Cora C. Butterfield, Jackson, Mich.

Application January 13 7 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved tooth cleaning device.

Second, to provide an improved tooth cleaning composition in theformof a solid.

Third, to provide a device of this character, that is convenient to use, is simple and economical in its parts and effective in cleaning the teeth and in removing tobacco stains and the like therefrom.

Fourth, to provide an improved method of making a tooth cleaning device.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying. drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of my tooth cleaning device.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the protecting cap removed from the stick.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of my tooth cleaning device.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, 1 is a pencil-like holder of wood having a central core 2 of my tooth cleaning composition.

The composition of the core 2 consists of one part of powdered pumice and two parts of fibered plaster, the latter being generally known to the market as wood pulp plaster. This wood pulp or fibered plaster consists of finely ground or pulverized wood and gypsum. The fibered plaster contains approximately by weight ninety-nine percent CaSO4 /2H2O and one percent wood fiber.

By volume, the tooth cleaning composition contains substantially thirty-three percent pumice, sixty-six percent CaSO4 /2HzO and one percent wood fiber.

The powdered pumice and fibered plaster are thoroughly mixed and water is added suflicient to provide a moldable mixture, whereupon the mixture is molded under pressure. It may be molded in rod-like form, but I prefer to mold it into a pencil-like holder, as illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3,"

inclusive, of the drawing.

If desired, the stick 3 may be first molded and then inserted as a core into the tubular holder 4 of wood or other suitable material such as paper, as illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5.

The device is used by rubbing the pointed end of the stick directly on the teeth. It cleans the. teeth thoroughly and acts to remove tobacco stains and the like which are impervious to conventional tooth pastes. I provide a metal cap 1933, Serial No. 651,489

5 for protecting the sharpened end of the stick when not in use.

It is not intended that the device should be used every day in lieu of a tooth brush, but occasionally when it is desired to thoroughly clean or polish the teeth. The powdered wood fiber is an important ingredient in my composition, inasmuch as it gives body to the moistenedpumice. The gypsum serves as a binder which readily hardens, but dissolves with moisture to free the pumice and wood fiber.

I have illustrated and described by improvements in an embodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate'or describe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed this disclosure. will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tooth cleaning stick comprising a tubular holder of wood, and a molded core consisting of, by volume, one part of powdered pumice and two parts of fibered plaster, the latter containing by weight ninety-nine percent gypsum and one percent finely divided wood fiber.

2. A tooth cleaning stick comprising a tubular holder, and a. core consisting of, by volume, one part of powdered pumice and two parts of fibered plaster, the latter containing by weight ninetynine percent gypsum and one percent finely divided wood fiber.

3. A tooth cleaning stick comprising a tubular holder, and a core consisting of, by volume, one part of powdered pumice and two parts of fibered plaster, the latter containing gypsum and finely divided wood fiber.

4. A tooth cleaning stick comprising a molded core consisting of one part of powdered pumice, and two parts of fibered plaster, the latter containing gypsum and wood fiber.

5. A tooth cleaning composition comprising by volume approximately one part powdered pumice, and two'parts wood pulp plaster containing wood fiber and gypsum.

6. A tooth cleaning composition comprising by volume thirty-three parts powdered pumice, sixty-six parts gypsum, and one part wood fiber.

7. The method of making tooth cleaning composition, which comprises thoroughly mixing one part of powdered pumice and two parts of gypsum, the latter containing one percent finely ground wood fiber, adding water sufilcient to provide a moldable mixture, and molding under pressure.

SIDNEY H. BU'I'I'ERFIELD. 

